"Note: I do not grow for public display, so there are lots of times when my gardens are beautiful only to my eyes." -Dell in Salem I am the same way, my yard is a mess when looked upon by a stranger at a distance. Invasive weeds everywhere, I have made pockets of beauty (in my eyes) wherever I am able to reliably irrigate. I've used a variety of plants as covers for bulbs, including CA poppies. Of all the wildflower seed I've planted, they are the most reliable. True poppies and crimson clover (an annual, not nearly as aggressive as white clover, and not to be confused with red clover) do nicely as well and naturalize to a degree, better when I water them. In raised beds, I've used different varieties and species of "creeping thyme" and dwarf Dianthus with good results, but slugs can and do hide in the thyme requiring the use of slug bait. Travis Owen Rogue River, OR amateuranthecologist.blogspot.com http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/